"He apologized for the language that he used," Maupin says. In response to Tobin's explanation that he didn't mean any insult to the black community for his words -- which weren't actually his -- Maupin says, "Honestly, I believe him.

Maupin's also somewhat of an opportunist, so he says he also took the time to lobby Tobin to do more work with the black community in the state.

"The door was open, so I took full advantage of that," he says.

Maupin and Tobin also agreed on planning an African-American advisory committee, which Maupin described as a "conversation on the state of black Arizona."

Tobin wasn't such a huge fan of Maupin's other "demand," to have a black "shadow representative," a non-voting representative, like what Congresswoman Eleanor Norton does for Washington D.C.

All in all, Torres says Tobin's "tweet" was a heat of the moment kind of thing -- adding that it's no longer an "issue" -- and it gave Maupin the opportunity to get his concerns heard.

Maupin gave us his laundry list of complaints about the black community getting shafted by the legislature, accusing the Democrats of being too timid sometimes, and noting the lack of black legislators -- the only one being Senator Leah Landrum Taylor.

Thus, Tobin's remark didn't end up being so bad for Maupin, who got to voice his complaints about everything else while he was in Tobin's office.

Maupin tells us he's also not ruling out running for a seat at the Legislature at some point , as he told us one of his big complaints is that Phoenix's black community doesn't seem to be part of the political dialogue, which he'd like to change.

That's complicated a little by his conviction for lying to federal agents, but he has plans for starting that conversation without a seat at the capitol, including "going Jesse Jackson on these folks if [he has] to."

Who gives a shit what this Jesse Jackson wanna be thinks. He's as crooked as Jackson and in the end he's just an opportunist who could care less for his "people". To have to kneel before this twit is a freaking joke. Should have just kicked Maupin in the balls instead.

Andy Tobin took Maupin's call and felt enough concern about the man-child's power to take the meeting and "make lemonade" from the lemons Tobin harvested with his ill-considered, racially-tinged comment.
That makes Maupin newsworthy.
The PNT is simply doing its job. If you want to be angry with someone, be angry with Tobin.

I'm glad that at the end of your article you acknowledged that a federal rap sheet makes it unlikely that Maupin will return to public office any time soon. So why is it that New Times continues to cover his publicity stunts on such a reliable basis?

The GOP has their gay log cabin republicans, their token non-white house servants who they use like a good loyal pet dog, going coon hunting! I find it totally humorous as a old southern born fellow when I see how them ole dixiecrats who immigrated to the republican party from the democratic party in the 1960's and their off spring have now pretty much ruined the GOP, thought when they put forth the rhino and the pit bull with lip stick in 2008 they could not do worse this time but guess the Mormon with the magic under wear proves me wrong!

A Doctorate of Divinity is pretty much an honorary degree in the US. One can get one very easily at the Universal Life Church.
Hell, I have one and I'm an atheist.
I did it so I could perform weddings legally and minister to people in my own humanist manner instead of having to be part of some religion.
It really just makes it all look more official like a collar is just trappings of the profession.

Blacks are largely a Democrat voting bloc. And this "kid-Sharpton" has endorsed Repugs like Ben Quayle and others. This guy's political views are a bit to the right, yet goes around in the black community to play "Sharpton" (a hardline left winger), while vocalizing for Civil Rights.